Incumbent Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich far outraised Democratic challenger Ed FitzGerald
Gov. John Kasich significantly outraised Democratic opponent Ed FitzGerald even in the final weeks of the campaign, cementing his overwhelming financial advantage over the Democrat, according to finance reports released Friday.
Kasich, a Republican, raised more than $620,000 in the weeks before the November election, compared with about $13,700 for FitzGerald, the reports showed.
FitzGerald's highest contributions in the reporting period were two donations of $500, compared with two dozen contributions of more than $10,000 each for Kasich, including $60,000 from the Summit County Republican Party Central Committee.
The governor raised $11.4 million for the year, compared with $2.3 million for FitzGerald, whose campaign imploded after several missteps, including his admission that he lacked a permanent driver's license for more than a decade.
Kasich has raised $21.4 million since taking office in January 2011.
Kasich won nearly 64 percent of the vote in November, compared with less than 33 percent for FitzGerald.
Republicans swept all statewide races this year.
In the treasurer's race, GOP incumbent Josh Mandel raised $184,801 for the current reporting period, and $3.3 million for the year, campaign finance records showed. His Democratic challenger, state Rep. Connie Pillich of Cincinnati — considered a strong contender for the seat — raised $141,122 for the current reporting period and $2.5 million for the year.
David Pepper, the Democratic candidate for attorney general — and now a candidate for chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party — outraised GOP incumbent Mike DeWine in the current reporting period, bringing in $633,782 to DeWine's $169,425. Pepper's contributions included $485,000 of his own money.
Incumbent Republican Auditor David Yost raised more than $115,000 in the final reporting period, compared with challenger state Rep. John Patrick Carney, a Columbus Democrat, who raised less than $60,000 in the final weeks.
Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted, who defeated state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat, raised about $150,000 in the reporting period, compared with $120,000 for Turner.